Chapter 129
The Legacy of the Deathly Hallows
Salazar Slytherin، seated in a chair near the door, spoke with calm authority:
"This ring has been passed down since the 14th century. At that time، I had already passed away، having lived five centuries. Death had rewarded the three Bevel brothers for completing a formidable task. As their reward، Death himself bestowed upon each of them one of the Deathly Hallows."
Salazar continued with steady gravitas:
"The eldest brother claimed the Elder Wand، the most powerful wand in history. To master it was no easy feat. There were only two ways to gain its allegiance: either the wand would accept you، or you had to defeat its previous owner."
"The second brother، Phrixus Bevel، claimed the Cloak of Invisibility. With it، one could vanish completely، leaving no trace of their presence anywhere."
Salazar then gestured proudly:
"As for me، Cadmus Bevel، the youngest، I was granted the Resurrection Stone. It allows the user to summon the spirits of the dead temporarily to see them again."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"But as you know، the wand chooses only its worthy master. That is why it is so difficult to discern its true possessor at any given time."
Albert understood immediately. Slytherin's words aligned perfectly with history. Indeed, the Elder Wand had ultimately passed into Dumbledore's hands after he defeated Gellert Grindelwald، the previous master، a perfect match to Salazar's account.
Slytherin's eyes twinkled with amusement.
"I see you agree with me. Truly، you are a remarkable boy. From the moment I first encountered you، I tried to read your memories but failed. It made things exciting. Ha Ha. Now، let us continue."
He spoke of the other Hallows.
"Phrixus died ten years after receiving the Cloak. Before his death، he instructed that it be given to his wife، who then passed it to her renowned family، the Potters."
"As for Cadmus، I too suffered exile، like my elder brother Phrixus. Yet I retained something powerful. A friend of mine discovered the Resurrection Stone and preserved it، passing it through generations until it reached Marvolo Gaunt."
Albert's mind raced. Piece by piece، he began to understand the puzzle hidden from most.
Slytherin leaned forward، a gleam in his eye.
"I have not finished. Cadmus' friend was one of my descendants. Naturally، this confirms that Marvolo Gaunt is of my bloodline."
Albert's head throbbed with the weight of so much revelation. It was now clear that his mother، Melanda Black، daughter of Morfin، son of Marvolo، was indeed of Slytherin's lineage.
Minutes passed as Albert absorbed Slytherin's every word.
Meanwhile، Tom Riddle had stolen Marvolo Gaunt's ring. Etched within it was a stone bearing the Bevel family symbol، the Resurrection Stone. Riddle knew not its true power، only that he intended to turn it into one of his Horcruxes.
Before leaving، Riddle had taken Morfin's wand، using the Avada Kedavra curse to kill both his grandfather and uncle. His reasoning was cold and calculated: by using Morfin's wand، the Ministry would assume Morfin had committed the murders، thus closing the case forever.
Minutes later، another man entered the scene. Elegantly dressed، with a black hat atop his head، a black beard، and piercing red eyes، the foul stench that accompanied him filled the room.
He rushed in and froze at the grisly scene before him. Albert and Slytherin watched silently as the man beheld the two lifeless bodies. He did nothing but mourn the fallen Morfin Gaunt and his kin.
Then his gaze fell upon a crying infant، tucked beside a cupboard. The man gently lifted the child from the basket and covered the baby's eyes، sparing him the sight of the horrific scene.
This man would later be known as Scamill Black.
Albert and Slytherin returned to the original place from which they had first come، the memory dissolving around them، leaving them once again in the chamber.